"A rough boy about fourteen years of age, over whom some influence had
been gained, was chosen monitor one morning; and as he was a leader in
all the mischief, it was hoped that putting him upon his honor would
assist in keeping order. Talking aloud was forbidden. For a few minutes
matters went on charmingly, until some one, tired of the restraint,
broke silence. The monitor, feeling the importance of his position, and
knowing of but one mode of redress, instantly struck him a violent blow
upon the ear, causing him to scream with pain. In a moment the school
was a scene of confusion, the friends of each boy taking sides, and
before the cause of trouble could be ascertained most of the boys
were piled upon each other in the middle of the room, creating sounds
altogether indescribable. The teacher, realizing that she was alone, and
not well understanding her influence, feared for a moment to interfere;
but as matters were growing worse, something must be done. She made
an effort to gain the ear of the monitor, and asked why he did so. He,
confident of being in the right, answered,

"'Teacher, he didn't mind you; he spoke, and I licked him; and I'll do
it again if he don't mind you.'

"His services were of course no longer required, although he had done
his duty according to his understanding of the case.

"Thus it was at the beginning of this work nearly twenty years ago,"
said the missionary. "Now we have an orderly school of over two hundred
children, who, but for the opportunity here given, would grow up without
even the rudiments of all education. Is not this a gain upon the enemy?
Think of a school like this doing its work daily among these neglected
little ones for nearly a score of years, and you will no longer feel as
if nothing had been done--as if no headway had been gained. Think,
too, of the Sabbath-school work in that time, and of the thousands of
children who have had their memories filled with precious texts from the
Bible, who have been told of the loving Saviour who came into the world
and suffered and died for them, and of his tender love and perpetual
care over his children, no matter how poor and vile and afar off
from him they may be. It is impossible that the good seed of the word
scattered here for so long a time should not have taken root in many
hearts. We know that they have, and can point to scores of blessed
instances--can take you to men and women, now good and virtuous
people, who, but for